Japan has unveiled plans to participate in the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, The Japan Times reported Friday.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to announce the decision during a March 19 summit with President Donald Trump in Washington.
How Will Japan Contribute to the Golden Dome Initiative?
Details of Japan’s role in the initiative have not yet been announced, but Japanese officials anticipate Washington will request assistance with missile production to replenish U.S. stocks depleted by conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Tokyo is still considering how to respond to such requests.
Last year, Japan exported license-built Patriot missiles to the U.S., easing its long-standing ban on lethal weapons exports. Meanwhile, Japan is boosting its own defenses amid security concerns related to China and North Korea, receiving U.S. Tomahawk missiles and planning to acquire up to 400 by 2027 to strengthen its standoff defense capability. Deliveries of Norway’s Joint Strike Missile for F-35 fighters have also begun.
What Is the Golden Dome Project?
Announced last year, the Golden Dome program seeks to build on current ground-based interceptor systems by adding experimental space-based technologies designed to identify, track and neutralize incoming threats from orbit. Tokyo hopes participation will strengthen its defenses against potential hypersonic glide-weapon threats from China and Russia.
Golden Dome Effort Draws Interest From Other Allies
Aside from Japan, Canada has indicated its interest in joining the Golden Dome effort, with Prime Minister Mark Carney revealing in May 2025 that Canada and the U.S. had discussed a potential partnership. European nations, meanwhile, are reportedly considering building their own sovereign air and missile defense system.